The French

Guitar Retreat

July 10 - 17th 2027

An intimate Guitar Retreat Designed for
Six Guitarists

Enquire Now

This isn't a Guitar Course.

And it isn't quite a holiday either.

It's somewhere in between.

You'll spend part of the week learning and playing guitar, with workshops and sessions designed to challenge you and give you something new to take home.

But you'll also have long lunches, good food, local wine and plenty of time to explore or do absolutely nothing.

You'll be staying together in a beautiful French property, with comfortable double rooms and plenty of space to relax between sessions.

It's a week away where the guitar happens to be at the heart of it.

Who Is This For?

You don't need to be a great guitarist.

You just need to want to become a better one.

The retreat is designed for adult guitarists who already play and want to develop their skills in a relaxed, supportive environment.

You play regularly
You don't need to be an expert, but you should be comfortable picking up a guitar and playing.

You want to improve
Whether that's technique, improvisation, playing with others or simply becoming a more confident player.

You like good company
Just six guitarists, sharing a relaxed week of playing, eating, drinking and enjoying the surroundings.

We'll cover a range of topics throughout the week, keeping things varied, engaging and relevant to the group.

To get the most from the tuition, you should be comfortable with open chords and basic rhythm playing, have some experience playing lead guitar, and have a basic familiarity with scales and the fretboard.

These are simply guidelines rather than a formal set of requirements. I'll speak to everyone individually before confirming their place, so we can make sure the retreat is a good fit for you and that you'll get the most from the week.

Get in touch to find out more or talk through whether the retreat is right for you.

Get In Touch

  • 7 nights at Le Moulin des Étrebières, a restored eco-mill in the Vendée, France — arrive Saturday early evening, depart the following Saturday morning

  • All meals: dinner on arrival night through breakfast on departure morning, three meals a day in between

  • All alcohol, soft drinks, and snacks included — nothing to top up at the bar

  • Five days of tuition: a long workshop session each morning, plus a shorter, informal session in the early evening before dinner

  • Wednesday off — a full free day to rest & explore

  • Optional private 1-to-1 lesson available

  • Your own double room for the week
    (Partners welcome at an additional cost)

  • Small group — real time with Charlie every day

What’s Included?

One week. Six guitarists.

Seven nights at Moulin des Étrebières
Five days of guitar tuition and workshops
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Your own double room
Drinks throughout the week

Only six places available.

Choose Your Room.

Standard

£1,625

Your own double room

Shared shower rooms and separate WCs.

4 rooms available

En-suite

£1,850

Your own double room

Private en-suite shower room and WC.

2 rooms available

Enquire & Book Now

The Place

Moulin des Étrèbières, France


Set in the French countryside, Moulin des Étrebières gives us a beautiful, relaxed base for the week. The whole property is ours to enjoy, with comfortable double rooms, shared spaces for eating and playing, and plenty of room to slow down between sessions.

Set in the beautiful French countryside, Moulin des Étrèbières provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxed week of guitar, good food and great company.

A peaceful, characterful setting where you can step away from everyday life and immerse yourself in music, surrounded by nature and the charm of rural France.

Getting There

Moulin des Étrèbières is easily accessible, located around an hour from Nantes. With direct flights from the UK and straightforward road connections, it’s a convenient destination for a French countryside escape.

For those who prefer to drive, the venue is also reachable via ferry or Eurotunnel, making it possible to bring your own car and enjoy the journey through France at your own pace.

 

Your Week :
At A Glance

Here's the shape of the week — five days of coaching, one full day off, and plenty of room to breathe either side of it.

  • Arrive during the early evening, settle into your room, welcome drinks and dinner together. No playing required tonight — just introductions.

  • Start seeing the fretboard & explore the CAGED system.

  • Spolier: It’s nothing to do with scales.

  • The Secret To Writing Songs

  • Item description

  • A deep dive into rhythm & how to become a better rhythm player.

  • The DNA that makes up great lead guitar.

  • Breakfast, farewells & depart.

For a more detailed description of what we’ll cover in each session, click here.